Innovation and Creativity in Business - Essay Example

Task Personal Project: Reflective Essay Within this learning environment, all the aspects of the physical learning es have beenconsidered in providing efficiency of the services provided. The platform provides teachers and learners an environment through which interaction can occur. The first week of the class presented an opportunity for meeting and interacting with different individuals. This interaction provided the individuals with an opportunity to begin indulging in creativity and innovation skills within individuals’ lives. The first classroom experience remains a significant determinant of the perceptions which individuals will hold regarding the elements being discussed in class. The interaction remains a significant attribute which encourages individuals to continue attending classes. The elements of creativity and innovation have a fundamental role in the management of businesses in the modern era. The first week in class served the purpose of introducing the participants to the aspects of creativity and innovation, which were the subjects of discussion of the entire learning period. Creativity is characterised by different attributes which can be utilised in describing a business idea as being original, imaginative and presenting a novel idea. This comes from the knowledge and perceptions of an individual regarding different business functions, existing within the actual business environment. Putting the thoughts contained within an individual’s mind into actions becomes the initiation of the element of creativity which can be described simply as the actualisation of dreams. The process of becoming creative involves answering various questions which arise within the individual’s mind through providing solutions to existing challenges. Undergoing a learning experience for business innovation and creativity enable one to proactively become involved in the implementation of novel plans within the business. Introduction of creativity and innovation became a fundamental element which initiated creative thinking among the students involved in the course. After the introduction the development of an innovation strategy became the next process for the second week of the course. We learnt that an innovation strategy is essential in seeking to ensure successful implementation of the innovative idea which has been developed. This involves identifying the opportunities which innovation can be implemented within the business. The requirement for transformation of business operations or changes becomes fundamental in the implementation of innovative measure and development of an innovation strategy. This strategy enables the maximisation of the benefits of innovation from the implementation of the business strategy. The learning outcomes focused on ensuring that students has the capability to develop innovation strategies through utilising the various creative thinking techniques, learnt in class. According to the coursework undertaken, the process begins with a business idea and then moves through until the idea becomes implemented and defined as a business innovation(Tidd and Bessant, p150). The significance of innovative ideas was identified as becoming value adding elements to the business which are essential for achieving continuous business growth. These invitations must be continuously undertaken and implemented in seeking to manage the changing business environment. Business creativity remains an element which involves extensive reasoning and thinking in order to ensure continued improvement of the business through introduction of new business elements. Week three introduced the students to different case studies indicating the application of innovation within the business perspectives. The aspect of innovation and creativity begins with the understanding of the existence of a problem within the business environment, since creativity seeks to provide answers to basic questions. The implementation of an innovative idea commonly solves existing business challenges through different attributes of the business, and the provision of a strategy for implementing business change. During the third week the focus of the course became specified to focusing of innovating businesses, after having remained focused on innovation in general. All the ideologies implemented are aimed at achieving significant improvement of the business process or introducing changes within the business. The students understood that analysis of the business ideas must be undertaken in seeking to understand the potential benefits introduced through the implementation of the idea. Introduction to various innovations within the business environment was conducted during the third week of the course. This was significant in the determination of the two different dimensions to implementing innovation within the business environment. Different types of innovation therefore exist, based on the anticipated outcome of implementing an innovative idea. The dimension undertaken in implementing innovation remains essential in determining the outcome of the innovative idea. An internal dimension to innovation commonly results in an incremental aspects of achieving business improvement. The external dimension causes radical changes to become imminent within the business operations and is commonly undertaken in seeking to transform business operations and develop a new line of business. The external dimension is commonly necessitated by the requirement to ensure a business adopts to changing business environment for sustainability. During the fifth week, the students were introduced to the element of creative thinking and were able to utilise creative thinking in solving business problems. Problem solving capability of creative thinking was implemented through innovation within the business environment, governed by various elements, which are utilised in ensuring successful implementation of the innovation. The element of innovation remains a continuous attribute which businesses must adopt in seeking to ensure sustainability of the operations. While development of an innovation strategy remains a fundamental beginning stage, the business must have essential structures to support the implementation of the innovation. Changes in the organisational behaviour and cultures must be adopted in seeking to ensure successful implementation of innovation(Stamm, p231). Consideration of these factors ensures that the management of the innovation remains focused towards providing business solutions to existing challenges. The existing business policies should be aligned with the introduction of the changes adopted through implementation of innovations within the business environment. Following understanding of the different concepts regarding innovation and creativity, week six saw he introduction of the ideal of transforming innovations into business opportunities. The course introduced two significant elements of, reflection and evaluation, which are significant characteristic of creative thinking which is utilised in seeking to establish the best approach for implementing innovation within a business. Creative thinking involves conducting an analysis of the different parameters of thought which a fundamental in the development of innovative ideas. The negative attributes of an innovation become assessed in seeking to establish a contingency plan when the adopted approach fails to produce the anticipated results. Consideration of the negative and positive elements enables an individual to understand the various outcomes of innovation, consequently creating numerous possible solutions to a single problem. Focusing on different perspectives becomes essential in evaluating the possible outcomes of the various solutions developed through creative thinking. The discussion on the various business attributes which can be transformed through innovations ensured during week six. These attributes were identified as position, products and process, which are essential determinants of the success achieved within the business. Internal dimension for implementing innovation results in the change upon the business processes while the external dimensions changes the position and products of the business. Focusing innovations on these business elements enables an individual to overcome the element of uncertainty which remains a fundamental hindrance to innovation within various businesses. While creativity can be fundamental in the development and creation of business solutions, the implementation of the ideas developed remains the fundamental challenge, resulting from business uncertainties. The element of risk-taking overcomes the existing uncertainties and ensures implementation of innovations within the business environment. Learning enables individuals to gain significant knowledge and skills which they can utilise to ensure innovation within the business environment. Week seven involved the element of management processes for the innovation within business environments. The availability of business skills remains essential in enhancing the capability to spot opportunities for innovation within a business. While this might involve having immense understanding of the business, creativity enhances the capacity to identify innovation opportunities. Sustainability of business operations lies in the continuous innovation which can be achieved through the adoption of effective management and leadership styles. The element of creating effective communication channels becomes fundamental in gaining significant feedback from the innovative ideas developed by different individuals, within an organisation. Leadership within an organisation presents an approach for overcoming existing innovation barriers within many businesses(Stamm, p384). Innovation remains an aspect which individuals must learn and adopt in seeking to ensure effectiveness of their business. The completion of the course required the implementation of an innovative idea, which would be presented through a project, during week 8. This project was fundamental in ensuring the concepts taught through the course had been understood and could be effectively implemented within a business environment. The element of creativity remains fundamental towards implementation of innovative approaches in business. The projects presented the teacher with a platform for making assessment into the knowledge and understanding gained regarding innovation and creativity. The students were also presented with an opportunity to exercise what they had learn through the course of seven weeks. During the project presentation various managerial and leadership skill were effectively utilised. The fundamental role of leadership remains ensuring that individuals become empowered to present their ideas within the organisation, and ensuring continued implementation of innovations for sustainable business ventures. References Stamm, Bettina von. Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Print. Tidd, Joe, and John Bessant. Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change. 5th ed. London: Wiley, 2013. Print.  Read More